10,000 suicides linked to economic recession

It turns out the economic downturn, or the Great Recession, might have hit more than the world's pocketbooks. A new study claims the recession also caused more than 10,000 suicides in North America and Europe.

The study found that between 2007 and 2010, suicides increased by 4.5 percent in Canada, 4.8 percent in the United States and 6.5 percent in the European Union, resulting in about 10,000 more suicides than usual.

The study, performed by the University of Oxford and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, used information from the World Health Organization. The researchers report rates were also 4 times higher among men. (Via Voice of America)

The study explains that job loss, home foreclosure and debt are leading causes of suicide during an economic downturn. (Via WSTM)

David Stuckler, the study's co-author, told Al Jazeera: "Suicides are just the tip of the iceberg. This data reveals a looming mental health crisis in Europe and North America. In these hard economic times, this research suggests it is critical to look for ways of protecting those who are likely to be hardest hit."

The study suggests nations that invest more into assistance for the unemployed reduce the risk of suicide. The authors estimate that for every $100 invested into such programs that suicide risk is lowered by .4 percent. (Via University of Oxford)

Struckler says Sweden was one country who had strong support for the unemployed or for those who were struggling financially and their suicide rate did not rise during the recession.

A professor of epidemiology at Columbia University not associated with the study said the findings have important implications for policy makers. "The social welfare aspects of economic downturns like this can't be ignored. When our economic belts get a little too tight, we shouldn't be cutting things that help the average Joe." (Via USA Today)

This latest study seems to reinforce the findings of another, smaller-scaled study from earlier this year.

A University of Portsmouth study links spending cuts in Greece to more than 500 male suicides between 2009 and 2010.

Aaron Reeves, a researcher on this most recent, says the data points out that rising suicide rates might not be inevitable seeing that they weren't observed everywhere.

How soon that many Americans forgot how many people have died, lost homes and face other loses under the selected Bush and Cheney. You hear nothing of what I call one of the worst American President. However, the majority of the American Citizens ELECTED President Obama but two hours later in Washington, DC the Republicans (REP) held a meeting to plan to make him a one term President and during those four year they did NOTHING to help the middle class. The Republicans promised to CREATE JOBS if the President extend the tax credit for the rich. McConnell and his buddies standing behind him, said that they will vote NO on all bills coming from the White House ON TV. The REP's refuse to allow the President Infrastructure Job Bill on the House Floor. The job bill would replace or repair R&R) the 68,000 bridges (3 have collapsed so far), R&R the 200 dikes and levees, replace America's water, sewer and gas pipes that are over 100 years old. Blame the REP's for not working

I really get a kick out of you Democrats and liberals....Constantly you make reference to the rich Republicans and turn a blind eye to the Democrats that have been bilking you dumb asses for years...In the news Bill and Hillary Clinton made reference to they left the White House broke, and to that I say, think again.. John Kerry, the guy that was defamed by boat crews that served with him and he wants you to think he is a poor man, when the reality is, he was weathy and married into wealth, and the Heinz ketchup fortune...Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, ultra rich, so wealth isn't just Republican

According to a small business owner I've done business with for years, another Recession is just around the corner. He said his business is off way more than it was in 2008 before the crash. He said this time he isn't even going to try and survive, he will just close the doors for good.

"THE GREAT RECESSION" is a freaking idiodic ObamaMEDIA MYTH made up to try and make a legacy for the RACIST-IN-CHIEF the FIRST MUSLIM to squat in the WHITE House. In truth Mr. Obama's ONLY legacy is how he abused power and maligned the US Constitution and raped TRUTH, JUSTICE, and FREEDOM all the while smokin' in the backroom with his America hater cronies...........

Thank a republican for this....It was Pres. Bush and that war monger Dick Cheney that caused the economic collapse of our great country. The unfunded wars, the lack of regulations, the growth of global warming, the huge increase in illegal aliens, spying on our citizens, millions of jobs lost, homes taken away and the suicides are totally caused by Republican philosophy. If we vote these clowns back into office...goodbye America. The rich will own Washington and the far rightwing religious groups will dictate your moral values and freedoms.

So, tell me, stengernc, was the U.S. supposed to sit on their hands & do absolutely nothing after 9/11? It seems that was what Clinton did & the terrorist attacks escalated to the horror on domestic territory on 9/11. Obama promised that we'd be out of Iraq & Afghanistan, but we are still there, so who is spending "war" dollars now. Also, the last 2 years of Bush's administration he had to deal with a Democrat Congress & Senate who approved of & probably dreamed up a lot of the debt that Obama loves to blame on Bush. Bush also warned us of the impending housing crisis in 2002, but ole Barnie Frank who was running the show with Fannie & Freddie just pooh-hooed Bush's warning and said everything was just fine and dandy. Fast forward and think about all the expenses that Obama has perpetrated on the We the People. Who is letting in all these illegals who are spending U.S. taxpayer dollars for their health and welfare? Maybe you'd better watch FOX to find what is going on around you

Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11. How many times must you be told? We told you first, and then President Bush admitted it. That's wasn't good enough? Then how about Colin Powell's warning to Bush about going to war with Iraq. Looks like they chose to ignore that wise black guy also. All Bush had to do was tell you that God told him to invade Iraq. You bought it hook, line and sinker. How gullible thee.

Sadly, those who initiated the Great Recession didn't have the common decency to commit suicide as did those who caused the Great Depression. CEOs and politicians go waltzing away with golden parachutes while the average joe, especially those who didn't plan for disasters, are struggling to stay afloat. The government can't supply jobs: Only those with courage and foresight can by taking a chance on new ideas and people. Those who could get things going are, instead, hanging onto their money and living the 'good life' on the backs of those who are struggling. It was a long time coming and will be a long time going.

You are correct. Big business leaders of the past took care of their employees and invested in their communities. They loved their country and would never have shipped their jobs overseas. Too many of today's business leaders are overpaid and only concerned with their shareholders. They complain about not having enough skilled workers but are not willing to make the investment in training their employees. Instead we need immigration reform so they can recruit from other countries. It's sad.